COAL Homecoming Celebration

The College of Arts and Letters will host a series of signature events during Homecoming 2013. All of the events are open to students, alumni and the community. These events give COAL students, friends and family a chance to network and interact with alumni and faculty members.

October 17-20

October 18 (Friday)

Communication Department Event — MSU Alum,Tom Black, will share his insights on “First out of the Gate: How to Move Up Once You Get in the Door.” While there are lots of resources to help students land their first job, how to make the most of that opportunity is a separate question. Mr. Black has created and grown several companies by effectively training employees – let him share with you some of his insights and advice for sustaining your career. Event is free and open to the public.

10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Hill Hall, Room 001

Journalism Homecoming Panel — Four alums who now work at the Springfield News-Leader will discuss “From Missouri State to the News-Leader: What My Life is Like Now.” Stephen Herzog, Katie Lamb, Jess Rollins and Kathryn Wall will talk about what it’s like to be a journalist in today’s digitally interconnected world.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Plaster Student Union (PSU), Room 314

MSU Master Filmmaker Screening, Life of Pi — Join Hollywood visual effects coordinator and MSU alumna Gloria Cohen Shomo (Electronic Arts, 2008) for a talk-back session after the film. She was the visual effects coordinator for Life of Pi, a position that she has held on a number of other major motion pictures, including: Moneyball (starring Brad Pitt), Little Fockers, and the recent Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.

7 p.m.

Plaster Student Union (PSU) Theatre

Moon City Faculty Reading — MSU’s English Department presents readings from the Yonder Mountain Anthology (Univ. of Arkansas Press) by faculty members Sara Burge, Marcus Cafagna and Jane Hoogestraat, and alumni, Anthony Priest. Anthony is the head of the English Department at West Plains and the editor of the Yonder Mountain Anthology.

Alumni Panel Discussion — Making the Most of Your First Professional Opportunity

Gloria Cohen Shomo (MJF/EA), Anthony Priest (ENG), Katy Tibbets (Musical Theatre), and Jonathan Kitchen (ENG) will discuss how students can prepare themselves to take advantage of their first professional break.

11 – 11:45 a.m.

Craig Hall, Coger Theatre

Live Music — Original compositions played by MSU Music majors

11:30 a.m.

Craig Hall, Balcony Theatre

Alumni Panel Discussion — Building Community: How the Arts and Letters Help Build Strong Communities

Jeff Carney (MUS), Katie McElfresh (Art & Design), and Bridget Dierks (COM/ENG) will discuss the many roles that the Arts and Letters play in our communities and how students can nurture the community ties which will allow them to prosper throughout their professional careers.

12-12:45 p.m.

Craig Hall, Coger Theatre

Screening — Epilogue the Web Series
MSU Alums, Erika Brame (director) and Deborah Larson (faculty supervisor and executive producer), will screen an episode or two of this EMMY Award winning series. They will discuss the making of the series following the screening.

12:15 p.m.

Craig Hall, Room 204

COAL Homecoming Celebration ends with march to the football stadium to cheer on the Missouri State Bears!